Anderson, Cora Mae: 1946

Cora Mae Anderson was the first victim of two murder-suicides in Blair County’s centennial year of 1946. She was killed by her husband, John William Anderson, on April 10^th outside their home in Hollidaysburg.

Cora Mae Baker was born in Altoona on June 10, 1906, the daughter of John W. and Mary (Keith) Baker. She married a veteran of World War I, Earl Treese, who died around 1939. She bore him a daughter, Betty, and two sons, Jack and Earl Jr. She married John Anderson in 1941; it was also his second marriage. Together, they had a son, Billy, born about 1943.

Neighbors reported the couple had numerous arguments and fights. On the night of April 9, 1946, Mrs. Anderson telephoned Alderman Ira J. Shelley in Altoona, at about 8:30 pm. She asked when he would be in his office and was told he was there then. She swore out a warrant for assault against her husband at 9:45 pm. Hollidaysburg police were notified of the warrant about 10:00 pm, and although they searched for Anderson that evening, they were unable to locate him.

Anderson, who reportedly had been drinking for some days, discovered the police were searching for him. He may have spent the night in a hotel, but at some point he returned to the family home at 720 Blair Street, took off his socks and shoes, and went to sleep.

Mrs. Anderson spent the night at the home of a neighbor, Leola Glidea. She returned to her home about 7:15 am on April 10 and found the front door locked. Her daughter, Betty Treese, and son Billy were with her. The two went around to check the back door while Mrs. Anderson remained in the front.

Anderson was apparently roused by the noise at the front door. Ms Treese reported that she heard arguing at the front of the house and returned. She saw Mrs. Anderson struggling with her husband on the sidewalk near a stop sign on the corner of Jones and Blair Streets. His arm was around her neck. A shot was fired, and he released her. Mrs. Anderson staggered a few steps and fell lifeless to the ground. She had been shot in the right side by a .38 Ivers-Johnson revolver.

Anderson returned to the front porch. He put the revolver to his head and pulled the trigger; the gun misfired. He pulled the trigger again, and the bullet went into his head. He fell on the porch, dead.

Police responded quickly; Chief Luther Fraedlich took charge of the scene.

Both bodies lay where they had fallen for quite some time. The coroner, Dr. Daniel Replogle, was in surgery at Mercy Hospital and had to finish his operation before coming to the scene.

Anderson had been born on July 4, 1906, in Hollidaysburg, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Anderson. He was hired as a machinist by the PRR on October 8, 1923, and worked in Juniata. He had been off work for weeks prior to the crime.

The boys were placed at the Veteran’s Orphans Home in Scotland, Pennsylvania. The murderer and his victim were buried at Presbyterian Cemetery in Hollidaysburg after a private double funeral.